Pompon making apparatus

ABSTRACT

A device for making pompons, tassels or the like, includes a support member having first and second closely spaced rods extending therefrom. The closely spaced rods define a tying point for the pompon, or the like, and at least one of the closely spaced rods has a yarn engaging means thereon. Winding rods, for yarn or the like, are respectively provided on either side of the closely spaced rods and are adjustably mounted relative to the support member. A handle member extends from the support member to facilitate use of the device.

United States Patent [191 Rather, Jr.

[ POMPON MAKING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: James B. Rather, Jr., Birch Harbor,

Maine [73] Assignee: Schoolhouse Enterprises Ltd., Birch Harbor, Maine [22] Filed: May 15, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 360,548

[52] US. Cl. 28/2 [51] Int. Cl D04d 7/06 [58] Field of Search 28/2 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,245,903 6/l94l Cone 28/2 3,591,904 7/1971 Rosene 28/2 e 2o 3 2911 21 |I will!" [111 3,816,888 [4 June 18, 1974 Primary Examinerbouis K. Rimrodt Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Flynn & Frishauf [57] ABSTRACT A device for making pompons, tassels or the like, includes a support member having first and second closely spaced rods extending therefrom. The closely spaced rods define a tying point for the pompon, or the like, and at least one of the closely spaced rods has a yarn engaging means thereon. Winding rods, for yarn or the like, are respectively provided on either side of the closely spaced rods and are adjustably mounted relative to the support member. A handle member extends from the support member to facilitate use of the device.

16 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures POMPON MAKING APPARATUS This invention relates to apparatus for making pompons, and more particularly, to such an apparatus for making very uniform pompons in a simple and expedient manner.

One of the difficulties involved in making pompons according to prior art methods lies in the process for tying the strands of the pompons together at the center thereof to insure fabrication of a uniform pompon which requires very little, if any, trimming. In some pompon making devices, not only is it difficult to accurately locate the central point, but it is very difficult to hold the yarn in position while tying the strands together at substantially the central point. If the strands of the pompon are not tied together at the central point, it is necessary to trim the ends of the strands after making the pompon, thus increasing the time involved in fabricating the pompon and wasting yarn.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a pompon making device which includes a new and unique means for enabling tying of the pompon very tightly and easily at substantially the central point thereof, and for retaining the yarn in possition during tying.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a simplified apparatus which is easily used by the operator with a minimum of training and which is easily fabricated of simple elements.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a pompon making device which facilitates making of multicolored pompons, and the like, and which facilitates making of tassels, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1 In accordance with the present invention, a device for making pompons or the like includes a support member, first and second closely spaced rods extending from said support member, one of said rods having a yarn engaging means thereon; and first and second yarn winding rods extending from said support member in substantially the same direction as said first and second rods, said yarn engaging rods being adjustably mounted on either side of said closely spaced rods. The closely spaced rods accurately define a tying point for the pompons or the like. A handle member is provided which extends from said support member. In a preferred embodiment, the support member includes calibration means for calibrating the relative positions of said first and second adjustable yarn winding rods, and said support member further includes groove means therein for engaging and retaining yarn ends in said groove means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pompon making device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a preliminary stage in fabrication of a pompon; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of the device in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Referring to FIG. 1, a pompon making device of the present invention includes a support member I and a handle member 2 extending from said support member 1. In FIG. 1, the handle 2 and support member 1 are shown as an integral structure. However, it should be clear that these two elements could be separate elements which are secured together by means of an adhesive, screws, etc. Further, the handle 2 may extend from the support member 1 in a direction other than that shown in FIG. 1, as should be apparent.

The support member 1 has a depression 3 formed substantially throughout the length thereof and, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, formed to about half the depth of the support member 1. Slots 4 and 5 are formed on the left and right hand sides of support member 1, respectively, as viewed in FIG. 1. Slots 4 and 5 extend completely through the remaining portion of the lower part of support member 1.

Extending from the solid central portion Ia of support member 1 are first and second closely spaced rod members 6 and 7. The rod members 6 and 7 may be round, square or any other convenient shape. At the upper portion of rod 6 is an eyelet 8. Eyelet 8 is of sufficient size so that at least two strands of yarn can be simultaneously threaded therethrough. Rods 6 and 7 accurately define a tying point for the pompons, or the like. I Slideably mounted on either side of the closely spaced rods 6 and 7, are adjustable rods 9 and 10. Adjustable rod 9 is mounted in a block member 11, which is slideably mounted in the depression 3. Rod 10 is mounted in a block 12 which is also adjustably mounted on support member 1 in the depression 3, but on the opposite side of theclosely spaced rods 6 and 7. Extending downward from the block 12, and extending through the slot 5, is a threaded member 13 (FIG. 2) which has a knurled or other nut member 14 threaded thereon. At the end of the threaded member 13 is an end cap 15 which prevents the knurled nut member 14 from being inadvertently threaded off of the threaded member 13. In place of the knurled nut member, wing nuts, or the like, could be used, as should be apparent. Block 11 is similarly fabricated.

Notches or grooves 16, 17 and 18, as shown in FIG. 1, can be formed about the periphery of support member I so as to engage yarn when yarn is forcedly inserted in the notch, as, for example, the strand of yarn 19 of FIG. 1. Similar notches or grooves 20-22 are formed on the other end of support member I for similar purposes. As required, additional notches can be formed along the periphery at any desired portion of support member 1. Additionally, notches 23 and 24 are formed in the support member 1 and handle 2, respectively, for engaging the yarn secured to eyelet 8, such as the yarn 25 as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, two strands of yarn are shown engaging grooves 23 and 24.

The blocks 11 and 12 are slideablle within the depression 3, as seen from the Figures. When the blocks are placed in the desired location, thereby locating the rods 9 and 10 in the desired location, the knurled nut 14 for rod 10 and the knurled nut 27 for rod 9 is tightened, thereby positively locating the rods 9 and 10 in position. A calibrated scale is provided on the upper surface of support member 1 so as to calibrate the exact positions of the rods 9 and 10 to insure uniform pompons in any of various sizes desired.

The device of the present invention operates as follows: first, a doubled strand of yarn is threaded through the eyelet 8 and is tied thereto, by means, for example of a loop as illustrated in FIG. 5. The yarn 25, after being tied in the eyelet, is then passed around the support member 1 through notches 23, passed along the underside of handle 2, and through notch 24 which engages the yarn 25 and maintains same in its desired relative position. Next, a yarn end, such as end 29, is engaged in a groove or notch, such as notch 20, and the yarn is wound about the rods 9 and 10. It is understood that rods 9 and 10 were previously adjusted to the desired position so as to produce a pompon of desired size. In FIG. l, the yarn is shown wound loosely for ease of illustration. However, in practice, the yarn is wound much closer together. After winding the desired amount of yarn on the rods 9 and 10, the yarn end, such as end 19, is engaged in a notch or groove 16 as shown in FIG. 1, and then cut off. During the winding process, it should be clear that the yarn 25 engaged with eyelet 8 lies inside of the yarn windings formed around rods 9 and 10.

Next, the yarn 25 is released from notch 24 and 23 and is brought rearwardly around the rear end of the loops of yarn and down from the top between the upper ends ofclosely spaced rods 6 and 7. Closely spaced rods 6 and 7 accurately locate the central portion of the windings. The yarn 25 is then brought down and is again threaded between rods 6 and 7 below the windings of yarn. At this point, it is necessary to pull the yarn 25 tight so as to tie the center portions of the windings tightly together, such as shown in FIG. 2 of US. Pat. No. 3,591,904. In order to release the tension in the wound yarn, the knurled knobs l4 and 27 are loosened so that the blocks 11 and 12 become slideable in depression 3. This enables the rods 9 and 10 to be moved together by a small amount and retightened, thereby enabling the yarn to be tied very tightly in the center. The pompon may be tied by tying the yarn 25 with one or both of ends 19 and 29. If desired, the tie yarn 25 may be wrapped around the central portion of the windings two or more times before tying. After tying with the yarn 25, the pompon may be removed from the rods by cutting the yarn strand 25 at the eyelet, and then slideably moving the tied yarn windings upwardly and off of the rods. The resultant configuration is as illustrated in FIG. 4. Then, holding the central portion of the pompon, the yarn loops can be cut with a pair of scissors, or-a knife, by pulling hard thereon so as to cut the yarn loops in the central portion thereof. The result is a pompon as is known. Alternatively, the yarn ends can be cut before removal from the device by providing the rods 9 and 10 with outwardly faced grooves, such as groove 28 of FIG. 2, and cutting along the grooves as illustrated in FIG. 3 of US. Pat. No. 3,591,904.

In certain applications it may be desirable to use the product of FIG. 4 as the final pompon product to produce flower" effects. In this case, the step of cutting the ends of the yarn loops is omitted.

The device of the present invention may be made from any type of convenient material, such as molded plastic, metal, etc. The rods 9 and 10 may be integral with respective blocks III and 12, or may be formed separately and appropriately secured thereto.

The rod 7 is shown in FIG. I to extend to about the same height as the rods 9 and 10. This is particularly advantageous in that it prevents the rod 7 from inadvertently engaging previously wound windings of yarn when the yarn is pressed downwardly during the winding process. While the blocks 11 and 12 are shown slideably mounted in a depression 3 of support member 1, it should be clear that other types of configurations which operate in an equivalent manner can be used. For example, the blocks 11 and 12 may slide on the upper surface of support member, and appropriate guide pins could be provided which engage slots in the support member. Any type of adjustable means could be provided. Still further, while the tension on the wound yarn windings can be relieved by loosening the nuts 14 so as to loosen the blocks 11 and 12,0ther means could be used. While the handle 2 extends in the horizontal plane as shown in the Figures of the present application, the handle could extend vertically from the support member 1 in the downward direction. The orientation of handle 2 relative to support member I may be varied. Also, rods 6 and 7 need not be fixed to mem' her I they may be removable and replaceable.

The invention has been described above in connection with making conventional round pompons. However, in some instances it is desired to fabricate nonuniform or irregularly shaped pompons, in which case it will be desired to tie the pompon with the strands 25 at a position other than in the exact center. In accordance with the present invention, pompons of this type can be easily made merely by adjusting the rods 9 and 10 in a non-symmetrical manner. That is, rod 9 can be placed, for example, twice as far from the center as rod 10. If pompon making is then proceeded with in the normal manner, an irregularly shaped pompon will result. By virtue of the specifically defined tying point between the closely spaced rods 6 and 7, such irregularly shaped pompons can be easily duplicated with great accuracy and uniformity using the present invention.

If it is desired to fabricate tassels, or the like, this can also be accomplished with the present invention merely by locating the rods 9 and 10 at the desired points relative to the tying point defined between the closely spaced rods 6 and 7. In tassels, it is generally desired to cut the ends of the long loops of yarn and it is desired to tie a string, or another piece of yarn through the loops formed at the short end thereof. This can easily be accomplished with the present invention, as should be apparent, in order to fabricate tassels of extremely uniform dimensions and quality. Again, this is by virtue of the unique tie locating feature of the present invention whereby the resulting article is tied at the point defined between the closely spaced rods 6 and 7 which are fixed to the support structure 1.

As used herein, the term pompon is used to also encompass similar articles of manufacture, such as tassels, or the like, and the article illustrated in FIG. 4 (i.e., a flower-type article).

To facilitate tying together the winding of the pompon, or the like, the free ends of the tying yarn 25 may be threaded on a needle, the needle facilitating passing of the tying yarn between the closely spaced rods 6 and 7. The needle could also be used to thread the yarn 25 in the eyelet 8. Still further, the needle facilitates tying the knot after the tying yarn 25 is wound around the yarn winding by threading the tying yarn 25 through the tightly tied central portion of the yarn winding to enable a more secure knot to be made.

In a particular embodiment, typical approximate dimensions are as follows:

ITEM DIMENSION (inches) support member 1 (length) SUPPORT MEMBER x (height) support member 1 (width) slot 3 (depth) handle 2 (width) handle 2 (height) handle 2 (length) rods 7. 9 and 10 (height) rods 6. 7, 9 and 10(diameter) clearance between rods 6 and 7 The calibration on the face of support member is in inches and fractions thereof. Metric dimension may also be indicated. The above dimensions are all approx imate and it should be clear that any other desired dimensions could be used. The above dimensions are given merely way of an example to illustrate a typical embodiment of the invention.

While the invention has been described above with respect to specific apparatus, various modifications and alterations thereof can be made within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for making pompons or the like which are formed of yarn, ribbon, string or the like tied together at a given point, said device comprising:

a support member;

first and second closely spaced rods extending from said support member for defining a tying point therebetween; and

first and second yarn winding rods extending from said support member in substantially the same direction as said first and second closely spaced rods, said yarn winding rods being adjustably mounted to said support member on either side of said closely spaced rods and adapted to receive yarn wound therearound.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein all of said rods are located in substantially the same plane.

3. A device according to claim I wherein one of said closely spaced rods has a yarn engaging means thereon for engaging and retaining a length of yarn which serves to tie said pompon or the like.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said rod having said yarn engaging means thereon is shorter than the other of said rods.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the other of said closely spaced rods is about the same length as said yarn winding rods.

6. A device according to claim 3 wherein said support member has a notch thereon to retain the yarn engaged on said yarn engaging means.

7. A device according to claim 1 including a handle member extending from said support member.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said handle member has a notch therein to retain yarn in said notch.

9. A device according to claim '7 wherein said handle member extends from said support member in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane in which said rods extend.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein said support member includes at least one: notch along the periphery thereof for engaging and retaining at least one strand of yarn in said at least one notch.

11. A device according to claim 1 wherein said support member includes calibration means thereon for calibrating the position of said adjustably mounted first and second yarn winding rods.

12. A device according to claim 1 wherein said first and second yarn winding rods are slideably mounted on said support member.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein said first and second yarn winding rods are mounted respectively in first and second blocks, and wherein said support member has a depression therein for slideably receiving said blocks, said device further comprising means for fixing each of said blocks in given positions relative to said support member.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein said support member further includes at least one elongated slot extending therethrough, and wherein said fixing means includes a screw member extending from each of said blocks and passing through said at least one slot, said screw member being operable to fix said blocks relative to said support member.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein said screw member includes a threaded element fixedly connected to each of said blocks and a nut threadably engaged with each of said threaded members for clamping said blocks to said support member.

16. A device according to claim 15 comprising two elongated slots, each slot receiving a respective one of 

1. A device for making pompons or the like which are formed of yarn, ribbon, string or the like tied together at a given point, said device comprising: a support member; first and second closely spaced rods extending from said support member for defining a tying point therebetween; and first and second yarn winding rods extending from said support member in substantially the samE direction as said first and second closely spaced rods, said yarn winding rods being adjustably mounted to said support member on either side of said closely spaced rods and adapted to receive yarn wound therearound.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein all of said rods are located in substantially the same plane.
 3. A device according to claim 1 wherein one of said closely spaced rods has a yarn engaging means thereon for engaging and retaining a length of yarn which serves to tie said pompon or the like.
 4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said rod having said yarn engaging means thereon is shorter than the other of said rods.
 5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the other of said closely spaced rods is about the same length as said yarn winding rods.
 6. A device according to claim 3 wherein said support member has a notch thereon to retain the yarn engaged on said yarn engaging means.
 7. A device according to claim 1 including a handle member extending from said support member.
 8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said handle member has a notch therein to retain yarn in said notch.
 9. A device according to claim 7 wherein said handle member extends from said support member in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane in which said rods extend.
 10. A device according to claim 1 wherein said support member includes at least one notch along the periphery thereof for engaging and retaining at least one strand of yarn in said at least one notch.
 11. A device according to claim 1 wherein said support member includes calibration means thereon for calibrating the position of said adjustably mounted first and second yarn winding rods.
 12. A device according to claim 1 wherein said first and second yarn winding rods are slideably mounted on said support member.
 13. A device according to claim 12 wherein said first and second yarn winding rods are mounted respectively in first and second blocks, and wherein said support member has a depression therein for slideably receiving said blocks, said device further comprising means for fixing each of said blocks in given positions relative to said support member.
 14. A device according to claim 13 wherein said support member further includes at least one elongated slot extending therethrough, and wherein said fixing means includes a screw member extending from each of said blocks and passing through said at least one slot, said screw member being operable to fix said blocks relative to said support member.
 15. A device according to claim 14 wherein said screw member includes a threaded element fixedly connected to each of said blocks and a nut threadably engaged with each of said threaded members for clamping said blocks to said support member.
 16. A device according to claim 15 comprising two elongated slots, each slot receiving a respective one of said threaded elements. 